Hi everyone!
A friend in the marina is selling a used Origo 3000 and I am thumbing my chin on whether to pick it up or not. Our rig has the original POS pressurized alcohol stove (an inlaid unit with non-removable tank and inset cutting board top). I have been drooling at West Marine's Force 10 units, but money is an issue. The Origo includes gimbals and pot holders, all for $150. My question is whether or not there is a better option for the price.

Origo 3000 (the one with two giant wicks right?) is slower to cook than the pressurized version, and when you light it off it smells like alcohol for a little bit which is a little gross if the boat is closed up. Also if you forget to close the top all the way your alcohol evaporates by the time you want to cook something. On the plus side, it couldnt be simpler and if you hate the other one it might be worth it to you. I actually like the pressurized one we used more. Clare learned to bake cakes in its oven (gotta keep spinning the cake tin cause of the hot spots), but I didnt think it was so bad. I think the people who clouldn't get water to boil werent pumping the thing up enough with the bicycle pump. Depending on the unit (with oven or not, rusty and nasty looking or not) I would go with the pressurized alcohol. Plus, the pressurized alcohol has that great excitement like when you put too much starting fluid on the bbq. Will it go whoosh and take your eyebrows? :O)

They get the job done, we had one on our C30 and it was more thn adequate for meals and makin coffee. They do smell a bit and aren't near as nice as a propane model, but they are cheap to run and very safe.